Lessons Learned From The School Of Rock

Making a point in this writing, research and psyching myself up phase of Pop Zeus to get inspired by and glean whatever I can from film sources. The obvious Guided By Voices choices of Watch Me Jumpstart, The Electrifying Conclusion, The Who Went Home And Cried and Some Drinking Implied (Wild People!) will surely be in my viewing pile in the coming weeks. But one of my recent favorites that really captures and encapsulates the spirit of rock is Richard Linklater's School Of Rock. Yeah, it's kinda corny and family friendly, but Jack Black's (apparently a big GBV fan known to appear at LA shows) performance is particularly inspired and you just know that he is praying to the gods of rock for reals. His lectures to the kids on what defines rock and his solo performance of his song are brilliant beyond belief. So after having finished watching the DVD again, here are some tasty nuggets I picked up...

(trying out a wild new letter, not number listing format)

A. Even if you don't think you are cool, if you can rock, you ARE cool: "You could be the ugliest sad sack on the planet, but if you're in a rocking band, you're the cat's pajamas. You're the bee's knees." Indeed!

B. Christina Aguilera and Puff Daddy do NOT rock!: And if you think so, you really need to get the Led out.

C. If there is no passion or joy in your playing, you do not rock: In case of emergency, employ the "power stance", raise a goblet to the gods of rock, then smile, nod your head and make your eyeballs wide like there is something wrong. Exhibit A photo of Mitch Mitchell below demonstrates this technique perfectly.

D. Rock is not about "doing things perfect", "scoring chicks" or "getting wasted", it's really about sticking it to the Man!: "But you can't just say it, man. You gotta feel it in your blood and guts. If you wanna rock, you gotta break the rules. You gotta get mad at The Man!"

E. Get a good scrunched up rock face if you want to rock: Bob has the classic rock face, exhibit A below.

FU. You're not hardcore unless you live hardcore!

G: One great rock show can change the world: "Rock ain't about getting loaded and being a jerk. This is serious business here. We've got a mission. Putting on a great show is the most important thing. One great rock show can change the world." Yessss!